Leyland, Grilli trade barbs over Tigers clubhouse

Former Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Jason Grilli believes he knows what's wrong with the Detroit Tigers. He thinks the Tigers clubhouse has an atmosphere which does not lend itself to a successful team, and that's what he told the USA Today on Tuesday. Detroit Tigers' manager Jim Leyland fired back on Wednesday, with a colorful rant against Grilli and his team.

May 21, Detroit Free Press: The issue arose when this quote by Grilli appeared in a story about the Tigers in Tuesday's edition of USA Today:

"It seems like they kind of broke up our team chemistry when they got rid of Sean Casey and good people like that. You wanted guys like that around."

Leyland had said earlier Tuesday: "I really take offense to Jason Grilli's thing about we lost Sean Casey. You've got to be (kidding) me. We lost Sean Casey. I mean, please. Come on.

"Jason Grilli isn't here any longer because Jason Grilli didn't pitch good under pressure situations and didn't pitch very well in Detroit," Leyland said. "You want to tell it like it is, and players want to start talking, then I'll start talking."